The Volunteer's Arrival

Nessa Thorne volunteers for Empire's annual offering, expecting death but instead arriving at Confluence Academy—a secretive, brutal school where young adults are tested for elemental affinity. The atmosphere is tense and diverse, with students from across the Empire, all marked for sacrifice. Nessa's badge brands her as a volunteer, drawing suspicion and curiosity. She meets Mireen, Nolan, and the enigmatic Raith, another volunteer with a scarred face and a dangerous aura. The Academy's grandeur and the elemental towers hint at the power and peril within. Nessa's hope flickers as she realizes she might not be doomed to die, but to fight for survival and perhaps something more.

Elemental Trials Begin

Nessa and the other offerings are herded into the Hall of Testing, where one by one they face a deadly trial to determine their elemental affinity. The process is harrowing—most die, their bodies left as grim reminders. When Nessa's turn comes, she is confronted by four ancient elementals, each representing earth, air, fire, and water. Forced to reveal her deepest guilt and pain, she touches each vessel and is marked not by a single element, but by a shifting silver spiral—an unbound, something the elementals call "impossible." The fire elemental tries to kill her, but the water elemental intervenes. Nessa survives, but leaves the chamber with a mark that sets her apart and a secret that could be fatal.

Marked by the Unbound

Nessa emerges from the trial changed and alone, her mark hidden from the others. She quickly learns the Academy is a crucible of violence and politics, where alliances form and break over suspicion and fear. Raith, the scarred volunteer, takes a keen interest in her, as does Bastian, a privileged legacy student. Nessa's mark draws attention, and with Bastian's help, she learns to disguise it as a water affinity. The threat of exposure looms, and she senses her power is different—she can draw elemental essence from others, not just herself. The Academy's rules are brutal: until students tether to an elemental, they are expendable, and murder among students is tacitly allowed.

First Blood and Alliances

The Academy's daily life is a gauntlet of combat, channeling, and academic classes. Nessa forms a close bond with Mireen and Ambrose, and together they navigate the dangers of sparring matches and the ever-present threat of Malakai, a ruthless water affinity building a deadly alliance. Raith's prowess in combat and leadership among the fires becomes clear, while Serena, a fire affinity, emerges as a rival. Nessa's inability to channel like the others draws the ire of instructors, but her quick thinking and resilience earn her respect. The first student deaths outside the trial shake everyone, and the need for trust and loyalty becomes paramount.

Surviving the Academy

Weeks pass in a blur of violence and exhaustion. Nessa struggles with channeling, unable to use water magic like her peers, but discovers she can draw essence from physical contact. She keeps this secret, fearing exposure as unbound. The Academy's culture is one of sanctioned brutality—students are encouraged to weed out the weak. Malakai's group grows bolder, executing students under the guise of "accidents." Nessa's friendships deepen, especially with Mireen, whose humor and loyalty become a lifeline. Raith's protectiveness grows, and Bastian's interest in Nessa's mark intensifies. The threat of the upcoming water trial looms, promising another deadly test.

Secrets and Sabotage

Nessa's nightmares intensify, haunted by a monstrous presence in the water. She receives a coded book from Bastian, revealing the history of the unbound—humans who could tether to all elements and even to other humans, hunted to extinction for their power. As Malakai's group begins to openly murder rivals, Nessa and her friends consider forming alliances for protection. Raith warns her of the dangers, hinting at his own secrets. The Academy's leadership, including the mysterious Rector Voss, is revealed to be complicit in the violence, valuing only the survival of the strongest. Nessa's power grows, but so does the risk of discovery.

The Siphon's Shadow

Rumors of siphons—legendary essence-draining monsters—begin to circulate after a series of gruesome deaths. Nessa learns from Raith and Bastian that siphons are real, created by a powerful unbound named Lorkan Grace. The Academy is on edge, and trust becomes even more scarce. Nessa's nightmares reveal a connection to the rogue elemental haunting the lake, and she realizes her unbound nature may be the key to stopping the madness. The threat of the siphon grows, and Nessa is forced to confront the possibility that she is being hunted not just by students, but by something far older and more dangerous.

Tethered and Tested

The water trial arrives, forcing Nessa and her peers to dive into the deadly lake to retrieve elemental echoes. Malakai uses the opportunity to attack Nessa, but she survives with the help of the ancient water dragon, Typhon, who she unwittingly heals and tethers. Her mark changes, and her power grows—she can now heal herself and others, a rare and coveted manifestation. Typhon becomes her constant companion, offering both wisdom and comic relief. The Academy's hierarchy shifts as students tether to their elementals, and Nessa's group becomes a force to be reckoned with. But the threat of Malakai, Serena, and the siphon remains.

The Water Trial's Depths

During the water trial, Nessa is attacked by Malakai and his allies, but the intervention of Typhon, now revealed as an ancient elemental, saves her. She discovers she can heal not just wounds, but madness in elementals—a power that could change the world. The trial cements her group's loyalty, and they begin to plan for the next deadly test: Confluence Day, when students must enter the elemental plane and tether to a companion or die. Nessa's relationship with Raith deepens, their connection growing more intimate and fraught with unspoken feelings. The Academy's true nature—as a forge for weapons, not people—becomes clear.

Combat and Connection

As Confluence Day approaches, Nessa's friendships and alliances are tested. She and Raith grow closer, sharing secrets and vulnerabilities, but both are haunted by their pasts. Nessa's healing powers manifest more strongly, and she learns to fight alongside Typhon, riding him in battle. The Academy's violence escalates, with Malakai and Serena's group openly targeting Nessa and her friends. The threat of the siphon grows, and Nessa realizes her unbound nature makes her both a target and a potential savior. The lines between friend and foe blur, and the cost of survival becomes ever steeper.

The Unbound's Awakening

Nessa's power reaches new heights as she learns to heal not just wounds, but elemental madness. Her connection with Raith deepens into love, but both are burdened by secrets—Raith's true identity as the exiled prince of the Red Kingdom, and Nessa's growing doubts about her place in Empire. The siphon attacks, nearly killing both of them, but Nessa's healing saves Raith and changes him, erasing his scars. The revelation of Raith's past and the truth about the unbound's history threaten to tear them apart, even as the Crucible—the Academy's final, deadliest test—draws near.

The Crucible Approaches

With the Crucible imminent, Nessa and her friends sabotage Malakai's secret weapon cache, hoping to level the playing field. Serena, once an enemy, warns them of a greater threat: the windborne, Empire's elite assassins, have been sent to ensure a bloodbath and justify removing Rector Voss. The Academy is a powder keg, and Nessa's group must fight not just for victory, but for survival. Raith and Nessa's love is tested by secrets and the looming threat of Lorkan and Milena Grace, the ancient unbound who created the siphons and now seek to reclaim their power.

Betrayal in the Shadows

The Crucible begins with a brutal ambush—Malakai's army, armed with sabotaged weapons, hunts down rivals with lethal efficiency. Nessa's group fights desperately, aided by Typhon's true form and Raith's leadership. The windborne assassins arrive, slaughtering students with terrifying skill. Nessa's unbound power surges as she kills one of the windborne, but the cost is nearly fatal. In the aftermath, Voss reveals his true identity as Lorkan Grace, using Nessa's healing to revive Milena. They offer Nessa a place among the unbound, promising understanding and belonging, but at the cost of betraying Raith and everything she's fought for.

The Crucible Unleashed

The Crucible becomes a war zone as alliances shatter and the true stakes are revealed. Nessa and Raith fight side by side, their love and their powers the only things keeping them alive. Typhon's ancient might turns the tide, but the cost is high—many friends are lost, and the Academy's leadership is exposed as complicit in the violence. Nessa's healing saves Raith, but the revelation of his true identity as the Red Kingdom's heir threatens to destroy their fragile happiness. The Crucible ends with Nessa's victory, but the world outside the Academy is changing, and new dangers loom.

The Windborne's Wrath

The windborne assassins, sent by Empire's council, descend on the survivors with lethal precision. Nessa's unbound power, amplified by Typhon, allows her to kill one of the windborne, but the act leaves her drained and traumatized. Raith claims the ceremonial blade, ending the Crucible and saving the survivors, but at great personal cost. The Academy is forever changed—Nessa's power is no longer a secret, and the world knows an ancient water dragon walks among them. The threat of Lorkan and Milena Grace grows, and Nessa must choose where her loyalty truly lies.

Sacrifice and Survival

In the aftermath of the Crucible, Nessa and Raith are both gravely wounded. Nessa's healing saves Raith, but the act is manipulated by Voss/Lorkan to revive Milena Grace. The unbound's return signals a new era of conflict, as they seek to reclaim their place in the world and challenge the power of Empire and Red Kingdom alike. Nessa is left reeling, torn between her love for Raith and the promise of belonging offered by the unbound. The Academy's survivors are forever changed, and the world outside is on the brink of war.

The Enemy Revealed

Nessa returns to Confluence, haunted by her encounter with Lorkan and Milena. The unbound offer her a place among them, promising understanding and power, but at the cost of betraying Raith and her friends. Raith, revealed as the exiled prince of the Red Kingdom, struggles with his own demons and the knowledge that Nessa has been shaped into a weapon aimed at his heart. The Academy is a changed place—Nessa is both feared and revered, and the world outside is shifting as the unbound begin their campaign. The story ends with Nessa and Raith reunited, but the threat of Lorkan and Milena—and the question of where Nessa's true loyalty lies—hangs over them both, setting the stage for the next battle.

Characters

Nessa Thorne

Nessa is the protagonist, a young woman who volunteers for the Empire's offering out of guilt and a desire for redemption after a childhood tragedy. Marked as unbound, she possesses the rare ability to draw and manipulate all elemental essences, as well as heal and even tether to other humans. Nessa is fiercely loyal, compassionate, and resourceful, but deeply scarred by loss and self-blame. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, learning to wield her power without losing her humanity. Her relationships—with Mireen, Ambrose, Beck, and especially Raith—anchor her, but she is constantly torn between the promise of belonging offered by the unbound and her loyalty to her friends and her own moral code. Her psychological arc is one of moving from self-loathing and isolation to tentative hope and agency, even as she is shaped into a weapon by forces beyond her control.

Raith Aurenciel (Hollow)

Raith is introduced as a scarred, dangerous volunteer from the border, but is later revealed to be the exiled crown prince of the Red Kingdom, hiding in Empire's academy. Haunted by the murder of his family and the betrayal that destroyed his life, Raith is driven by a need to protect those he cares about—especially Nessa, with whom he forms a deep, complicated bond. He is a natural leader, commanding loyalty from the fires and others, but is emotionally closed off, fearing that caring for others will only bring more loss. His relationship with Nessa is transformative, forcing him to confront his past and his capacity for love. Psychologically, Raith is a study in trauma, guilt, and the struggle to reconcile duty with desire. His arc is one of learning to trust, to let himself be vulnerable, and to fight not just for revenge, but for a future.

Typhon

Typhon is the ancient water elemental Nessa tethers during the water trial. Once mad with grief, he is healed by Nessa's unbound power and becomes her constant companion. Typhon is proud, sarcastic, and often exasperated by human foolishness, but deeply loyal to Nessa. He provides both comic relief and wisdom, pushing Nessa to embrace her power while warning her of its dangers. Typhon's own trauma—centuries of madness and loss—mirrors Nessa's, and their bond is one of mutual healing. He is a symbol of the old world, of power and knowledge lost to time, and his presence marks Nessa as extraordinary.

Mireen

Mireen is Nessa's first and closest friend at Confluence, a water affinity with a dark sense of humor and a pragmatic approach to death and danger. She is fiercely protective, quick-witted, and unafraid to challenge authority or tradition. Mireen's own trauma—growing up on the war-torn border—gives her a hard edge, but her loyalty to Nessa and their group is unwavering. She is the emotional glue of the group, often defusing tension with humor or stepping in to support those in need. Her arc is one of learning to trust, to hope, and to find meaning in a world that seems determined to crush it.

Ambrose

Ambrose is the group's thinker, a water affinity with a passion for books, tactics, and the pursuit of knowledge. He is cautious, analytical, and often anxious, but his insights and research are invaluable to the group's survival. Ambrose is the first to suspect deeper conspiracies at the Academy and is instrumental in uncovering the truth about the siphons and the unbound. His arc is one of moving from passive observer to active participant, learning to trust his instincts and take risks for the people he cares about.

Beck

Beck is a physically imposing water affinity with a big heart and a penchant for humor and romance. He is the group's morale booster, always ready with a joke or a flirtatious comment, but also fiercely loyal and brave in battle. Beck's relationships—especially with Brunhild—add levity and warmth to the story, but he is also capable of surprising insight and courage. His arc is one of growing into his strength, learning to balance bravado with vulnerability.

Brunhild

Brunhild is a late addition to Nessa's group, a towering, blunt-spoken earth affinity from the northern islands. She is a master of unarmed combat and survival, and her loyalty to Beck and the group is absolute. Brunhild's outsider perspective and cultural differences add depth to the group dynamic, and her wisdom and strength are crucial in the Crucible. She is a symbol of resilience and the power of found family.

Bastian Strathmore

Bastian is a privileged legacy student, heir to a powerful council family, and one of the few who knows Nessa's true nature. He is intelligent, calculating, and often enigmatic, helping Nessa out of both genuine concern and political self-interest. Bastian's relationship with Nessa is complex—part ally, part rival, part potential betrayer. He is torn between loyalty to Empire, his own ambitions, and his growing respect for Nessa. His arc is one of learning the limits of power and the cost of secrets.

Serena

Serena is a fire affinity and early antagonist, driven by loyalty to Empire and a rigid sense of honor. She is beautiful, deadly, and ambitious, but not without her own code. Serena's rivalry with Nessa is personal and political, but she ultimately proves capable of nuance and even reluctant alliance. Her arc is one of confronting the limits of loyalty and the meaning of honor in a world built on betrayal.

Malakai

Malakai is the main antagonist among the students, a water affinity who builds a deadly alliance and orchestrates much of the violence at the Academy. He is charming, intelligent, and utterly ruthless, willing to kill or betray anyone to secure his own power. Malakai is a symbol of the Academy's corruption and the dangers of unchecked ambition. His arc is one of escalating violence and eventual downfall, but his influence lingers as a warning of what the Academy can create.

Plot Devices

Elemental Trials and Affinity Marking

The Academy's structure is built around a series of escalating trials—elemental affinity testing, the water trial, Confluence Day, and the Crucible. Each trial is both a literal and metaphorical test, forcing students to confront their fears, their loyalties, and their capacity for violence. The trials serve as crucibles for character development, forging alliances and enmities, and revealing the true nature of power. The affinity marks are both badges of honor and targets, marking students for suspicion or trust.

The Unbound and Hidden Power

Nessa's unbound status is the central plot device, driving both the external conflict (as she is hunted and manipulated by various factions) and the internal conflict (as she struggles with guilt, self-acceptance, and the fear of becoming a monster). The unbound's ability to draw from all elements, to heal, and to tether to humans is both a blessing and a curse, making Nessa a potential savior or destroyer. The coded book, the shifting mark, and the need for secrecy create constant tension and drive the plot forward.

Tethering and Manifestation

The process of tethering to an elemental is both a magical and psychological journey, representing the forging of identity, the healing of old wounds, and the acceptance of power. Manifestations—unique abilities that emerge from trauma or need—are a key plot device, marking characters as special and dangerous. Nessa's healing, Raith's fire, and Typhon's ancient wisdom all serve as symbols of the potential and peril of power.

The Siphon Threat and Ancient Enemies

The siphons—monsters created by the ancient unbound Lorkan and Milena Grace—are both literal and symbolic threats, representing the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of history. Their presence is foreshadowed through rumors, nightmares, and mysterious deaths, culminating in direct attacks that force Nessa and Raith to confront their own legacies. The revelation that Voss is Lorkan Grace and that Milena is revived sets the stage for a larger conflict beyond the Academy.

Romance and Psychological Intimacy

The romance between Nessa and Raith is central, serving as both a source of strength and a point of vulnerability. Their connection is deepened by the magical tether, shared trauma, and mutual healing, but is constantly threatened by secrets, political realities, and the manipulations of others. The romance is not just a subplot, but a lens through which the story's themes—trust, forgiveness, the cost of power—are explored.

Narrative Structure and Perspective

The story is structured to alternate between moments of high tension (trials, battles, betrayals) and quieter, character-driven scenes (friendship, romance, introspection). Foreshadowing is used heavily, with dreams, rumors, and coded messages hinting at future dangers. The perspective is close and psychological, allowing readers to experience Nessa's doubts, fears, and hopes intimately, and to understand the connections between characters, symbols, and events.

Analysis

Unbound is a dark, emotionally charged romantasy that interrogates the nature of power, trauma, and belonging in a world built on violence and secrets. At its core, the novel is about the search for identity and the cost of survival in a system designed to break the individual. Nessa's journey from self-loathing volunteer to unbound survivor is both a personal and political arc—her power is both a gift and a curse, making her a target for manipulation and a potential savior. The Academy is a microcosm of a broken world, where trust is scarce and violence is normalized, but where friendship, love, and loyalty can still flourish. The romance between Nessa and Raith is not just a subplot, but a crucible for both characters, forcing them to confront their pasts and the possibility of a future together. The novel's use of elemental magic, tethering, and manifestation serves as both metaphor and plot engine, exploring the ways trauma can both wound and empower. The return of Lorkan and Milena Grace, and the revelation of Voss's true identity, set the stage for a larger conflict about the nature of the unbound, the dangers of unchecked power, and the possibility of redemption. Ultimately, Unbound is a story about the struggle to remain human in a world that wants to turn you into a weapon, and the hope that even the most broken can find healing, love, and a place to belong.

Last updated: October 6, 2025